Chapter 14: Battle intensifies

Benjamin yanked his hands up from the dirt, gasping for breath. Cory and Evan had distanced themselves enough to give him a moment to recover.

Glancing to his right, Benjamin spotted Miles and Jackie, their eyes locked on Isaiah's gun. Surprisingly, Isaiah hesitated, as if waiting for something. Jackie and Miles remained rooted in their defensive positions.

The tension in the air was suffocating, thick enough to slice through with a blade. Benjamin's mind raced, realizing he needed to assist his friends.

Just as he was about to sprint towards Jackie and Miles, Velena halted him. "What's wrong?" Benjamin inquired urgently. Velena's voice was solemn as she replied, "It's a trap."

Lennox joined them, landing beside the duo. Suddenly, Isaiah shifted his stance. "Inferno Trigger!!!" he bellowed, pulling the trigger.

Once again, the slender beam of antimatter shot forth from the weapon's core, hurtling towards Miles and Jackie with incredible speed.

However, Benjamin sensed something was amiss. He scanned his surroundings and saw only Evan standing several yards away. Realization struck him like a lightning bolt as he comprehended Isaiah's plan. He swiftly turned to warn Jackie and Miles, but it was too late.

Jackie raised her hands to intercept the beam of antimatter, only for it to transform into Cory right before their eyes. Jackie appeared dumbfounded as Cory, propelled by the beam's momentum, sliced straight through both her and Miles.

In an instant, the two vanished, teleporting to safety in the stands. "Finally," Isaiah muttered, his attention now fixed on his remaining three opponents. He already had another ball of antimatter charged in his hands. "Let's do this," he declared.

Isaiah leaped into the air, hurling the ball of antimatter towards the trio. Benjamin, Velena, and Lennox scattered, swiftly evading annihilation. Isaiah's team seized the opportunity, closing in to eliminate their adversaries.

Cory charged at Velena, flinging his scythe and conjuring a new one. Velena deflected the scythe before slamming her ax into the ground, unleashing a wave of vines towards Cory.

Cory teleported to his scythe, slashing at Velena. She swiftly turned, blocking the attack with her ax and retaliating with a powerful strike that sent Cory reeling.

Cory regained his footing, twirling his scythe in his hands. Shards of glass materialized in the air, hurtling towards Velena. With keen focus, Velena observed as Cory summoned a colossal knight.

The towering figure wielded a sword as Velena gazed up at it. Determination filled her voice as she declared, "I won't be outdone so easily." Her aura began to glow, expanding in size until it enveloped the entire gym. A massive tree sprouted from the ground before her, stretching towards the ceiling.

With a single swing of her ax, Velena cleaved through the tree, felling it in an instant. She seized the fallen tree and swung it at the knight.

Initially slow, the tree gained momentum rapidly. It crashed into Cory's knight, shattering it into countless pieces. Mirror shards rained down upon the battlefield as Velena landed gracefully. Soon after, the tree dissipated into white smoke.

Velena surveyed her surroundings, unable to locate Cory. Suddenly, he burst forth from one of the mirror shards, slashing at her and leaving a wound on her cheek.

Velena tracked Cory's movements, her gaze fixed on the multitude of shards. With a swift swing of her ax, she created a shockwave that cleared a path before her. She sprinted through the raining glass, expertly blocking Cory's strikes whenever he materialized.

Meanwhile, Benjamin and Evan clashed swords relentlessly. Isaiah's constant barrage prevented Benjamin from remaining stationary for long. Evan lunged at Benjamin, slashing his sword and narrowly missing his shoulder.

In an instant, Evan froze time. He swiftly maneuvered to the other side of Benjamin, delivering a devastating strike to his back. As time resumed, the effects of Evan's attack manifested, leaving a deep wound on Benjamin's back. Though the wound healed almost instantly, Evan continued his relentless attack . Utilizing his summon, he summoned swords that he directed towards Benjamin.

"I'll teach you not to hold back," Evan growled, his voice dripping with anger. Benjamin attempted to respond but was interrupted as a sword grazed his cheek. Fueled by frustration, Benjamin channeled his shadows, unleashing a rapid six-fold strike. However, Evan froze time once more, effortlessly evading the attack before slashing Benjamin across the chest. Despite the inflicted wound healing instantly, Evan steadily pushed Benjamin back.

Aware of the situation, Benjamin prepared himself. As Evan lunged at him, Benjamin pivotedand countered with a swift slash of his sword, striking Evan in the chest. Evan staggered backward, clutching at the dark wound. Benjamin seized the opportunity to press the attack, but before he could, a spinning mace collided with his head.

Isaiah had hurled a projectile called "Nightfall" at Benjamin, sending him flying backward. Benjamin crashed to the ground, debris scattering and forming a small crater. Shaking off the impact, he rose to his feet, only to find Evan lunging at him once again.

Isaiah landed beside Evan, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked. Evan shrugged off the blow, determination gleaming in his eyes as he lunged back at Benjamin.

Meanwhile, Isaiah turned his attention to Lennox. With nimble movements, Isaiah evaded most of Lennox's attacks, utilizing the explosive force of the antimatter to propel himself. Lennox, however, continued to increase his speed, determined to keep up with Isaiah's agility. Charles extended his claws, readying himself for a powerful strike.

"I need a good swing," Lennox thought, his mind focused. Without warning, Lennox dove at Isaiah, pulling back his fist. Isaiah charged his blast, unleashing an abnormally strong wave of antimatter. Three shockwaves rippled through the air. Using his ability, Isaiah propelled himself above Lennox.

From his elevated position, Isaiah fired an antimatter bullet downward at Lennox. "Reinforcement," Lennox muttered, bracing himself as the shot struck him, hurtling him towards the ground. Lennox crashed into the earth, creating a cloud of dust and leaving a sizable crater. He quickly regained his footing, glancing up at Isaiah before deciding to retreat.

As the battle raged on, the gym echoed with the clash of swords, the crackling of energy, and the shattering of glass. Benjamin, Velena, and Lennox regrouped, their determination unwavering. They exchanged a brief glance, silently reaffirming their commitment to each other.

With renewed resolve, they charged back into the fray, ready to face Isaiah and his team head-on. The fight intensified, each combatant unleashing their unique abilities and strategies. The air crackled with energy as the battle reached its climax.

In the midst of the chaos, Benjamin, Velena, and Lennox fought with unwavering determination. They dodged, parried, and countered, their movements fluid and precise. The clash of their weapons reverberated through the gym, a testament to their unwavering spirit.

As the battle raged on, the tide began to turn. Benjamin's shadows danced around him, empowering his strikes. Velena's aura blazed with an intensity that seemed to consume the entire space. Charles's claws extended, leaving trails of sparks in their wake.

Together, they fought as a united front, their teamwork and resilience pushing them forward. With every strike, they chipped away at Isaiah's defenses, inching closer to victory.

The battle continued, each moment filled with tension and adrenaline. Benjamin, Velena, and Lennox refused to back down, their determination unyielding. They knew that the outcome of this fight would shape their future, and they were prepared to give it their all.